A Few Favorite Eateries
Hilltop Coffee + Kitchen
4427 W Slauson AveGreat food and cool atmosphere.
Post & Beam
3767 Santa Rosalia DrUpscale dining in a casual space. Popular for Sunday brunch.
Brunch doesn't get better than this. Their chicken and waffle is to die for.
13 locals recommend
Nick's Pasadena
336 S Lake AveBrunch doesn't get better than this. Their chicken and waffle is to die for.
Quaint space with amazing food. Neither I nor anyone I've come with has ever been disappointed with their menu choice. Bon appetit!
40 locals recommend
Meet in Paris French Bistro
9727 Culver BlvdQuaint space with amazing food. Neither I nor anyone I've come with has ever been disappointed with their menu choice. Bon appetit!
For a faster pace and oodles of dining choices, visit this popular Downtown Los Angeles destination. It's also a short walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Disney Concert Hall, and The Broad Art Museum.
968 locals recommend
Grand Central Market
317 S BroadwayFor a faster pace and oodles of dining choices, visit this popular Downtown Los Angeles destination. It's also a short walk from the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Disney Concert Hall, and The Broad Art Museum.
Located inside the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall, this is a fast way to get a tasty and healthy meal on the cheap. I love the Pecan Citrus Salad with Chicken. They also have Gluten-free and Vegan options.
10 locals recommend
Everytable
1101 W 23rd StLocated inside the Crenshaw Baldwin Hills Mall, this is a fast way to get a tasty and healthy meal on the cheap. I love the Pecan Citrus Salad with Chicken. They also have Gluten-free and Vegan options.
A lovely restaurant with delicious and inspired food. It's close to The Pantages Theater, so it's perfect for a pre-show dinner. The whole place is lovely, but I recommend sitting on the patio.
13 locals recommend
Running Goose
1620 N Cahuenga BlvdA lovely restaurant with delicious and inspired food. It's close to The Pantages Theater, so it's perfect for a pre-show dinner. The whole place is lovely, but I recommend sitting on the patio.
Located at 3868 Crenshaw Blvd, this local eatery is just a short drive or easy walk away. I can't get enough of the grilled salmon po' boy!
21 locals recommend
Orleans & York
4454 W Slauson AveLocated at 3868 Crenshaw Blvd, this local eatery is just a short drive or easy walk away. I can't get enough of the grilled salmon po' boy!
Active Things to Do
Hiking trails, running/walking trails, lovely vistas, picnic areas, a lake...it's all of that and more. Opt for a hike through this popular recreation area and you'll forget that your are in the middle of a busy metropolitan area.
289 locals recommend
Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area
4100 S La Cienega BlvdHiking trails, running/walking trails, lovely vistas, picnic areas, a lake...it's all of that and more. Opt for a hike through this popular recreation area and you'll forget that your are in the middle of a busy metropolitan area.
Grab a kayak (or paddle board) and enjoy touring the marina while getting an awesome workout...as well as a tan. At the very least, your bottom will get wet, so dress appropriately. They have showers and lockers so you can store your things while out on the water. Don't forget your sunblock, sunglasses, and ziplock baggie for your cellphone.
14 locals recommend
UCLA Marina Aquatic Center
14001 Fiji WayGrab a kayak (or paddle board) and enjoy touring the marina while getting an awesome workout...as well as a tan. At the very least, your bottom will get wet, so dress appropriately. They have showers and lockers so you can store your things while out on the water. Don't forget your sunblock, sunglasses, and ziplock baggie for your cellphone.
The Ballona Creek Bike Path starts at Syd Kronenthal Park in east Culver City and extends about 9 miles to the beach. I recommend entering at Duquesne Avenue (there is a steep ramp that prepares you for a steep incline). The path offers enough of a challenge to feel like you've worked out so bring water. Entering at Duquesne Ave, cyclists often finish their first leg of the ride at the Pacific Avenue bridge (~8 miles one way) or continue on to the Beach Bikepath, which you can ride all the way to Redondo Beach (~18 miles one way). If you ride from our house, you'll add around 6 miles to your roundtrip.
14 locals recommend
Ballona Creek
Ballona Creek Bike PathThe Ballona Creek Bike Path starts at Syd Kronenthal Park in east Culver City and extends about 9 miles to the beach. I recommend entering at Duquesne Avenue (there is a steep ramp that prepares you for a steep incline). The path offers enough of a challenge to feel like you've worked out so bring water. Entering at Duquesne Ave, cyclists often finish their first leg of the ride at the Pacific Avenue bridge (~8 miles one way) or continue on to the Beach Bikepath, which you can ride all the way to Redondo Beach (~18 miles one way). If you ride from our house, you'll add around 6 miles to your roundtrip.
Hike up or take the stairs and, while you will feel the workout by the time you get to the top, the view is what really takes your breath away. I, personally, don't recommend the stairs for those just getting back in the workout game - take the trail instead. However, if you can trust yourself to take it slow and stop whenever your body needs a rest, I say, "Have at it!"
337 locals recommend
Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook
6300 Hetzler RdHike up or take the stairs and, while you will feel the workout by the time you get to the top, the view is what really takes your breath away. I, personally, don't recommend the stairs for those just getting back in the workout game - take the trail instead. However, if you can trust yourself to take it slow and stop whenever your body needs a rest, I say, "Have at it!"
For Lovers of Art
The Museum of Contemporary Art
250 S Grand AveCalifornia African American Museum
600 State DrMuseum of Tolerance
9786 W Pico BlvdLos Angeles County Museum of Art
5905 Wilshire BlvdHammer Museum
10899 Wilshire BlvdShopping
Bloomingdales, Macy's, and Macy's Men's Store anchor this indoor mall.
1266 locals recommend
Beverly Center
8500 Beverly BlvdBloomingdales, Macy's, and Macy's Men's Store anchor this indoor mall.
Located directly across from The Beverly Center,
this center offers Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, TJ Max, Ross, Target - a discount shoppers heaven!
90 locals recommend
Beverly Connection Security
100 La Cienega BlvdLocated directly across from The Beverly Center,
this center offers Nordstrom Rack, Marshall's, TJ Max, Ross, Target - a discount shoppers heaven!
Luxury shopping, superb dining, and a 15 screen movie theater. Add to that, it's a gorgeously appointed outdoor mall and you have the perfect setting for an all day shopping-spree!
372 locals recommend
Westfield Century City
10250 Santa Monica BlvdLuxury shopping, superb dining, and a 15 screen movie theater. Add to that, it's a gorgeously appointed outdoor mall and you have the perfect setting for an all day shopping-spree!
Thrifting
If you're a fan of thrifting, you'll be pleasantly surprised with your visit to just about any of the Council Thrift Stores in Los Angeles. I drop by as often as possible to check out new inventory.
9 locals recommend
Council Thrift Shops
12120 Venice Blvd.If you're a fan of thrifting, you'll be pleasantly surprised with your visit to just about any of the Council Thrift Stores in Los Angeles. I drop by as often as possible to check out new inventory.
Council Thrift Shops
12120 Venice Blvd.Great thrift store for vintage furniture and specialty items.
10 locals recommend
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Los Angeles Thrift Store
210 N Ave 21Great thrift store for vintage furniture and specialty items.
For Something Sweet
Diddy Riese
926 Broxton AveGourmet ice cream sandwiches. The best! Go there!
Fro-yo at it's best. It's close enough to walk. And if you do walk, you can add fudge and brownies toppings without guilt.
60 locals recommend
Yogurtland
310 S La Brea AveFro-yo at it's best. It's close enough to walk. And if you do walk, you can add fudge and brownies toppings without guilt.
You can go for the dining experience, but stay for dessert. They offer wonderful dessert creations and GELATO! Add coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and sit on the patio. Consider it a good night.
23 locals recommend
Ugo Cafe
3865 Cardiff AveYou can go for the dining experience, but stay for dessert. They offer wonderful dessert creations and GELATO! Add coffee, tea, or hot chocolate and sit on the patio. Consider it a good night.
Comforting desserts at their best. Plenty of choices and specialty flavors. I've got to try the chicken and waffle cupcake soon...
10 locals recommend
Southern Girl Desserts
3650 W Martin Luther King Jr BlvdComforting desserts at their best. Plenty of choices and specialty flavors. I've got to try the chicken and waffle cupcake soon...
It's a landmark, yes. But their doughnuts rock! Apple fritters and buttermilk doughnuts...yummy!
137 locals recommend
Randy's Donuts
805 W Manchester BlvdIt's a landmark, yes. But their doughnuts rock! Apple fritters and buttermilk doughnuts...yummy!
See a Show
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood BlvdDorothy Chandler Pavilion
135 N Grand AveAhmanson Theatre
135 N Grand Ave